Photo: Audi Sport

Loïc Duval and Audi Sport fastest in Lausitzring pre-season testing

Audi claimed the top three positions of today’s DTM pre-season test at the Lausitzring, with Loïc Duval setting the fastest time of all.

The Frenchman recorded a lap time of 1:36.130 in the morning session, with 2017 champion René Rast just 0.136 seconds behind. Robin Frijns completed the top three for Audi Sport, 0.501 seconds off the pace.

Daniel Juncadella was fourth for Aston Martin, 0.571 from the top spot. The Spaniard completed 117 laps at the wheel of the new Vantage DTM, focussing on development work as R-Motorsport continue their tight development schedule ahead of the season start. Team-mate Jake Dennis was fifth, 1.064 seconds behind Duval.

Series’ newcomer Sheldon van der Linde was sixth for BMW Motorsport, 1.4 seconds off the pace, with fellow rookie Pietro Fittipaldi closing today’s classification, 1.890 seconds adrift.

Testing resume tomorrow for a final day at the Lausitzring, with all 18 cars entered for this season expected to be on track.